Sarasota

**orlandobabe** · 14-02-2002, 23:26

Just 2 hours south of Orlando on the Gulf Coast.

It was my dream to spend New Year's Day on a warm beach and we managed this at Sarasota. We went to Siesta Key-which is a beautiful unspoilt beach where the sand is like fine white dust! Fabulous! It was quite hot too!

We stayed overnight in a hotel on the bay for about $65. It was a Holiday Inn but I think they were renaming it to Inn on the Bay or something like that!

The next day we went to St Armand's Quay and that was faboulous-lots of little shops where you can have a good old mooch around! Some with very expensive goodies in them. Sadly we were just getting going-when the heavens opened-as it does over there-and we had to head for a Barney's coffee shop.

Rain unfortunately stopped play so we set off for the Tamiami Trail and found a nice mall!

Also a nice Olive Garden down there as well.

Definitely will be going back!

Orlandobabe

**carole7007** · 15-02-2002, 01:06

We have been to Sarasota, it was great.

The shopping circle was really nice, we had a wonder round each evening and selected somewhere to eat.

Keith and the children loved the Ice Cream/Fudge shop. Everything freshly hand made.

Carole & Keith

**imported_n/a** · 15-02-2002, 01:15

We can highly recommend Siesta Key, Sarasota. We have stayed for many year's at Sara Sea Inn at the Beach which is one of about 5 motels in a crescent from which you walk straight on the beach of white sand. Self catering motels rooms which can sleep up to 4 and you can also hire luxurious 2 and 3 bedroomed apartments for larger families.

**esprit** · 22-02-2002, 02:57

The Ringling museum at Sarasota is really worth a visit and very inxexpensive. The art museum has some old masters which are worth a fortune as well as some American patriotic art. But the piece de resistance is the circus museum. stuffed full of old costumes. props, posters, films etc. All in beautiful gardens at the edge of the sea. John Ringlings mansion, which looks like the Alhambra is also being restored and will be open to the public though at the moment you can only access the terrace and look through the windows. Nice cafe as well. Also the Sarasota Jungle Gardens makes a good half day out as does the Pelican Sanctuary.

Julie Carty

**orlandobabe** · 22-02-2002, 15:07

Wow! Julie.

Thanks for all that info. Sarasota is definitely on our list for when we go back and will certainly have a look at those attractions you have just described.

Might have to stay two nights instead of one! Actually heard my mum say she could live in Sarasota! Who knows!

Orlandobabe

**imported_n/a** · 22-02-2002, 18:55

You will find great fish restaurants at the harbour and fabulous yachts too. We first called it Smellysota as the Harbour didn't smell to great but they seem to have got around that now.

**ian** · 25-02-2002, 17:55

Is there not a Christmas restaurant just at St.Armands circle as well. We stayed at Longboat Key a few years ago and arrived Sunday early afternoon - it was so busy we thought we'd made a big mistake, but Monday morning all the Florida locals had gone back home and it was a terrific week - at least until Saturday midday when they all appeared again!
ian

**abbeyvillas** · 10-05-2005, 15:37

[msncool]We spent a few days at Sarasota last September, fabulous place to relax & unwind. Lovely shops & restaurants. Only thing we find on the Gulf coast is that everywhere seems to close around 10.00pm.

**becbecs** · 10-05-2005, 17:02

Sarasota is a fab place been there our selves and stayed on Longboat Key.
Lots of fab restaurants at St Armands Circle and yes I have to agree about the sand a Siesta Key its like power gets everywhere too.